Current Affairs 25 March 2023

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Navies of India, UK hold Bilateral Maritime Exercise ‘Konkan 2023‘Konkan 2023, the annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy (IN) of India and the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom (UK) was held from 20th to 22nd March 2023 off the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea.
Participation:
IN: INS (Indian Naval Ship) Trishul, a guided missile frigate
Royal Navy: HMS Lancaster, a Type 23 guided missile frigate of the Royal Navy
Key Points:
i.During the exercise multiple maritime drills were held to enhance interoperability and imbibe best practices.
ii.The exercises covered all domains of maritime operations viz. air, surface, and sub-surface. This included gunnery shoots on surface inflatable target ‘Killer Tomato’, helicopter operations, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare drills, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), ship manoeuvres and exchange of personnel.
iii.This exercise will strengthen maritime security and uphold a rules-based order in the region.
About Exercise Konkan:
i.Exercise KONKAN, named after the Western coastal region of India, was institutionalised in 2004. Since then, the exercise is hosted in rotation by both the Navies.
ii.The exercise involves various aspects of naval operations, including anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction operations, air defense, and search and rescue.

About INS Trishul
INS Trishul (F43) (Translated as Trident) is the second frigate of the Talwar class of the Indian Navy. Trishul, the guided missile frigate, joined the arsenal of Indian Navy in 2003. The ship was commissioned by the then Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral Arun Prakash at St. Petersburg, Russia on 25 June 2003.

• The first frigate of the Talwar class of the Indian Navy was INS Talwar (F40) followed by the second, INS Trishul, and the third, INS Tabar (F44).

MoD inks Rs 3,700 crore contracts with BEL for Medium Power Radars ‘Arudhra’ & 129 DR-118 Radar Warning Receivers

On 23rd March 2023, the Ministry of Defence signed 2 separate contracts with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) at a total cost of over Rs 3,700 crore to procure ‘Arudhra’ Medium Power Radars (MPR) and 129 DR-118 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR) for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

i.The first contract, worth over Rs 2,800 crore, pertains to the supply of MPR ‘Arudhra’ for IAF.
ii.The second contract, at an overall cost of approx. Rs 950 crore, relates to 129 DR-118 RWR

• Both projects are under Buy {Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)} category.
• This is in line with the efforts towards achieving the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and this will also help in enhancing the operational capabilities of the IAF.

About MPR (Arudhra):
i.MPR (Arudhra) is a 4D multi-function phased array radar with electronic steering in both azimuth and elevation for surveillance, detection, and tracking of aerial targets.
ii.It is indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by BEL.
iii.The radar system has target identification based on interrogations from co-located Identification Friend or Foe system.
About DR-118 RWR
i.The installation of the DR-118 Radar Warning Receiver on Su-30 MKI aircraft will significantly improve Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities.
ii.The majority of the components and parts will be procured from local manufacturers.
iii.This project is expected to generate employment of approximately 2 lakh man-days over a period of 3 and a half years.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates ‘Sagar Manthan’, the Real-time Performance Monitoring Dashboard of MoPSWOn March 23, 2023, the Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) virtually launched ‘Sagar Manthan’, a Real-time Performance Monitoring Dashboard of MoPSW, in New Delhi, Delhi.

• This is a development towards digitalization and transparency in the maritime transport sector.
• It was launched in the presence of Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State (MoS), MoPSW; Shantanu Thakur, MoS, MoPSW and other officials from the ministry.

Development:
This platform has been developed completely in-house under the guidance of Sudhanshu Pant, IAS, Secretary, MoPSW in the span of less than 1.5 months efficiently.
About Sagar Manthan:
i.Sagar Manthan is a digital platform that contains all the integrated data related to the Ministry and other subsidiaries.
ii.This dashboard will transform the workings of various departments by improving well-coordinated real-time information.
iii.It is a development towards Digital India vision and will have an impact on the overall performance of the ministry and its departments.
iv.Effective project monitoring can ensure the timely completion of projects, informed decision-making, increased efficiency & effectiveness of projects, and increased accountability. It also promotes real-time project tracking, risk management, resource allocation, and progress reporting.
Features of Sagar Manthan: Data visualization; Real-time monitoring; Improved communication; Data-driven decision making; and Increased accountability.
Note: In future, this dashboard would further be integrated with Input from CCTV cameras, Live streaming from Drones, Artificial intelligence (AI)-based Algorithm to map actual progress Digital Twin feature on board and Mobile App for easy access and usability by all stakeholder to increase the efficiency.

Multi-Domain Air-Land Exercise Vayu Prahar was jointly conducted by Indian Army & Air Force

The Indian Army and Indian Air Force(IAF) jointly conducted the multi-domain 96-hour Air-Land Exercise “Vayu Prahar” along the Line of Actual Control(LAC) in the eastern command during the 2nd week of March 2023. 
Along with IAF, Army formations and special forces participated in the exercise.

• The exercise was conducted to validate joint plans to prosecute synergized multiple-domain operations.
• The multiple-domain operations aim to orchestrate military activities across all domains to deliver converging effects.

Note: The eastern command takes care of the LAC in the Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim sectors.
About Vayu Prahar: 
i.The scope of the joint exercise included rapid mobilisation of an earmarked Rapid Reaction Force from the hinterland to undertake air-landed operations in a nominated Advance Landing Ground.
ii.The air-landed force further executed contingency tasks as per a realistic exercise scenario in challenging high-altitude terrain conditions.
iii.The exercise Vayu Prahar enabled the coordination and rehearsal among various agencies for quick mobilisation, transportation and deployment of forces within a theatre which can be executed across theatres.

UIDAI signs MoU with SETS for joint R&D in Deep Tech Domains

On 23rd March 2023, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and the Society for Electronic Transactions and Security (SETS), part of the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate and do joint research and development (R&D) leading to the development of tools and products in deep tech domains.

• According to MoU, both UIDAI and SETS will carry out joint research in deep tech and emerging tech areas like Cyber Security, IoT Security, Mobile Device Security, Financial Network Slice Security and Hardware Security, etc.
• It is part of the ‘Make in India’ initiative and aims to improve self-reliance on information and cyber security as well as to reduce dependence on tools developed outside India.

Scientists and officers of both organisations will work on Artificial Intelligence(AI) and Blockchain Technology for Cyber Security, Quantum Security and Cryptography-focused innovations such as Quantum Random Number Generators, Crypto API Libraries, etc.

NHAI’s IHMCL organizes Hackathon on Barrierless Tolling System and Intelligent Traffic Management System

Indian Highways Management Company Limited (IHMCL), a company formed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to carry out Electronic Tolling, collaborated with “MeitY Start-up Hub(MSH)” under the auspices of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and organized a Hackathon “MSH-IHMCL Grand Innovation Challenge” with Indian tech start-ups to foster innovation and technology-driven solutions to address the challenges of tolling and traffic management on the National Highways(NH) in India.

• The theme of the hackathon was the Barrierless Free-Flow Tolling System and Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) that will improve efficiency and safety in the NH.

The shortlisted Startups were provided seed money of Rs 10 lakh each to conduct a Proof of Concept (POC).
This Hackathon is in line with NHAI’s commitment towards ensuring a faster and safer National Highway through the adoption of state-of-the-art technology-based solutions.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

UNCTAD: Global trade in goods may increase by 1% in Q1 2023, while services may increase by 3%The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) stated in its “Global Trade Update (March 2023)” that, despite deteriorating economic conditions and growing uncertainties, global trade in goods is expected to rise by about 1% (year over year) in the first quarter (Q1) of 2023 while trade in services is projected to grow by about 3% over the same time period.
Key Facts:
i.In 2022, global trade exceeded USD 32 trillion, although its growth started to decline in the last quarter of 2022.
ii.In the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2022, trade in developing countries was weak, with East Asia and Latin America performing badly.
iii.As overall manufacturing trade dropped, trade in environmentally friendly goods increased throughout the second half (H2) of 2022.
About United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD):
Secretary-General – Rebeca Grynspan of Costa Rica
Establishment – 1964
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
>> Read Full News

Egypt became Member of BRICS New Development Bank On March 22, 2023, the African-Arab Nation, Egypt became a member of the New Development Bank (NDB), formerly referred to as the BRICS Development Bank, a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS states(Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

• Egypt was officially given status as a member on February 20, 2023 and the formal notification was issued on March 22, 2023.

About NDB: 
i.The NDB was set up by BRICS nations on the basis of the intergovernmental agreement signed at the sixth BRICS summit in Fortaleza in July 2014.
ii.Members: Apart from Egypt, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries, the UAE, Bangladesh, and Uruguay are the members of the NDB.
iii.Purpose of formation: NDB was formed to finance infrastructure projects and sustainable development projects in BRICS member states and developing countries.

• So far, the bank has approved more than 90 projects totalling $32 billion in areas as transportation, water, clean energy, digital and social infrastructure, as well as urban construction.
• Earlier, the NDB received an ‘AA+’ international credit rating from Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings.

Key Points:
i.Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, 6th president of Egypt, visited India during the Republic Day celebrations from January 24–27, 2023. Days after the visit, the Egyptian Parliament endorsed the agreement that allowed the country to join the NDB.
ii.The membership was viewed as a support in reducing the Egypt’s demand for US dollars.
Note – South Africa is to host the 15th BRICS Summit which is scheduled to be held in August 2023 in  Durban, South Africa.
About New Development Bank (NDB):
President – Dilma Rousseff
Headquarters – Shanghai, China
Establishment – 2015

BANKING & FINANCE

Loan disbursements to MSME sector grew 24% in Q2FY23: TransUnion CIBIL-SIDBI Reporti.According to a TransUnion CIBIL-SIDBI MSME Pulse Report, loan disbursements to the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector in Q2 (July-September) FY23 grew 24% year-on-year (y-o-y), with significant growth in the micro segment.
ii.Micro, small and medium segments saw a growth of 54%, 23% and 8% in disbursements, respectively.
iii.The total MSME credit exposure as of Q2FY23 is at Rs 22.9 lakh crores, reflecting a YoY growth rate of 10.6%.

iv.Credit to the micro (with aggregate credit exposure not exceeding Rs 1 crore) segment by balance grew by 13% y-o-y as of Q2FY23 and the disbursements to the micro segment of MSME grew by 54% YoY.

About Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI):
Chairman & Managing Director– Sivasubramanian Ramann
Headquarters– Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Establishment– 1990
>> Read Full News

KVB made Bancassurance Agreement with SBI Life in Life Insurance Category On March 23, 2023, the Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) executed an agreement as an additional bancassurance partner in the life insurance category with SBI Life, the insurance arm of the State Bank of India (SBI).

• Through this agreement, KVB will sell SBI Life’s large number of Life insurance products.

What is Bancassurance?
It is a collaboration between the insurance company and a bank under which the insurance products will be sold to the bank’s customer base. This will benefit the bank too as it gets a commission amount from the insurance company.
Interim Dividend:
In March 2023, SBI Life Insurance declared an interim dividend of Rs 2.5 per share for its investors for the financial year 2022-23 (FY23).

• The declared interim dividend will be paid on or before April 6, 2023, to eligible shareholders.

What is Dividend?
It is the sum of money distributed by a company, to its shareholders, out of the profits made by it, in proportion to the amount paid upon each share held by them. It will be declared by the Board of Directors (BoD) of the company.
About Karur Vysya Bank (KVB) Ltd.
MD&CEO – B. Ramesh Babu
Establishment – 1916
Headquarters – Karur, Tamil Nadu
Tagline – Smart Way to Bank

‘2023 Global Payments Report’ By FIS: India’s Ecommerce Market to Reach USD 150 Billion by 2026, Driven by Rise in UPI TransactionsAccording to the “2023 Global Payments Report” by global financial technology pioneer FIS, India’s e-commerce (e-com) sector is projected to grow from USD 83 billion in 2022 to USD 150 billion in 2026, as cash transactions continue to drop and Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-based transactions continue to set all-time highs.

• As of January 2023, UPI had the biggest year-on-year (Y-o-Y) growth rate of 74.1% in transaction volume.

FIS, based in Florida, United States (US), is a global provider of technology solutions for merchants, banks, and capital markets organizations.
Significance
i.Cash usage decreased from 71% of POS transaction value in 2019 to just 27% in 2022, causing India to become a global leader in payments, with the development of its next-generation real-time payment (RTP) infrastructure.
ii.UPI has aided the growth of e-commerce account-to-account (A2A) payments to USD 12 billion, a 53% increase between 2021 and 2022.
About Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
i.UPI is an instant payment system developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), an entity regulated by the RBI.

• UPI is built on the Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) infrastructure and allows customers to transfer money between any two bank accounts instantly.

>> Read Full News

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS        

RINL wins the National Level JCSSI “Ispat Suraksha Puraskar”

On 22nd March 2023, Visakhapatnam(Andhra Pradesh)-based Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd, ( RINL), the corporate entity of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) and a Navratna Company under the Ministry of Steel, received the national level safety awards “Ispat Suraksha Puraskar” during Annual Award Function held at the SAIL Safety Organization (SSO) Ranchi, Jharkhand, organised by Joint Committee on Safety, Health & Environment in the Steel Industry(JCSSI).

• RINL Bagged 4 prizes in Blast Furnace(BF) and Raw materials zone for the years 2020-2021 and 2021-2022.
• Maintenance and service zones of RINL bagged the Award for the year 2021-2022.

RINL Visakhapatnam also bagged Prestigious Award for “Zero Fatal Accident involving Contract Labour” for the year 2022.
Note: The JCSSI was formerly known as Standing Committee on Safety for the Steel Industry.

• JCSSI came into existence on 27th April 1973 with the primary objective of safeguarding valuable human resources against possible hazards in the steel industry.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS     

CCI approves ADIA’s stake buy in Lenskart under Green Channel Route On 23rd March 2023, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved, under the green channel route, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority’s (ADIA) acquisition of a stake in Lenskart Solutions Private Limited (LSPL).
Acquirer- Platinum Jasmine A 2018 Trust (acting through its trustee, Platinum Owl C 2018 RSC Limited) (Platinum Jasmine).
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is the sole beneficiary and settlor of Platinum Jasmine.
Target- Lenskart Solutions Pvt Ltd(LSPL)
CCI clears Proposed Investment by Qatar Investment Authority in BTS Investment 1 Pte
On 23rd March 2023, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) approved the proposed investment by Qatar Investment Authority(QIA) in BTS Investment 1 Pte (BTS1), a Singapore-based pooled vehicle.
Acquirer- INQ Holding LLC,  a limited liability company, incorporated in Qatar and a wholly owned subsidiary of Qatar Investment Authority (QIA).
Targets- BTS Investment 1 Pte. Ltd. (BTS1) and Viacom 18 Media Private Limited (Viacom 18).
About the Competition Commission of India (CCI):
Acting Chairperson- Sangeeta Verma
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
Establishment- 14th October 2003 (Operational from 2009).
>> Read Full News   

Canara Bank sells stake in Russian JV CIBL to SBI for Rs 121 crore

On 23rd March 2023, Bengaluru(Karnataka)-based Canara Bank sold its stake in Russian joint venture(JV) Commercial Indo Bank LLC (CIBL) to the other venture partner State Bank of India (SBI) for about Rs 121.29 crore.
CIBL was incorporated in 2003 as a joint venture in Russia between SBI (60%) and Canara Bank (40%).

• Canara Bank has received the entire consideration amount equivalent to Rs 121.29 crore for the sale of its stake.
• On 11th November 2022, Canara Bank, an Indian public sector bank under the control and ownership of the Ministry of Finance (MoF), entered into an agreement for sale.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Narendra Singh Tomar Launched NCIP’s DigiClaim Module for Fast Settlement of Crop Insurance ClaimsOn March 23, 2023, the Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW),  launched the National Crop Insurance Portal’s (NCIP) digitized claim settlement module namely ‘DigiClaim’ under the ambit of Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi for fast settlement of crop insurance claims.

• Objective: To enable the farmers to receive their PMFBY claim amounts in a timebound and automated manner.
• After the launch of the DigiClaim module, on the same day, the insurance claims totaling Rs 1260.35 crore have been disbursed to insured farmers in the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Haryana at once quickly.
• DigiClaim Module will be useful for the farmers of six states as it will speed up the claim disbursal process of valid crop loss claims, and process the claims directly to their respective bank accounts in a transparent and accountable manner.
• This technology has been enabled through the integration of the NCIP and Public Finance Management System (PFMS).

About Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW):
Union Minister – Narendra Singh Tomar (Morena Constituency, Madhya Pradesh)
Minister of State (MoS) – Shobha Karandlaje (Udupi Chikmagalur Constituency, Karnataka); Kailash Choudhary (Barmer Constituency, Rajasthan)
>> Read Full News

“Haeil“: North Korea Tests Nuclear Drone Capable of Producing “Radioactive Tsunami“North Korea has tested a nuclear-capable underwater drone known as “Haeil,” (a Korean word for tidal waves or tsunamis), the first weapon of its kind capable of generating a massive radioactive tsunami that can destroy naval strike groups and ports.
About “Haeil“:
i.The new weapon, called “Haeil,” is a nuclear underwater attack drone that can be towed by a surface ship or deployed from any port or coast.
ii.It is intended to discreetly enter operational waters and explode underwater to cause a catastrophic radioactive wave that will destroy enemy naval strike groups and significant operational ports.
iii.North Korea launched more than 90 missiles in 2022, the most it has ever launched in a single year.
Backdrop
i.The purpose of North Korea’s most recent nuclear tests was to alert the United States (US) and South Korea to an impending nuclear crisis as a result of their ongoing, purposeful, and provocative war games.
ii.The US and South Korea recently concluded an 11-day exercise that includes their most extensive field training in years, and are planning another round of cooperative naval drills that would reportedly include a US aircraft carrier.

• The test was carried out as the US was gearing up to deploy aircraft carrier strike groups and other cutting-edge equipment to the waters off the Korean Peninsula.

iii.The development of this weapon poses a significant new threat, but the test underscores North Korea’s determination to escalating nuclear threats.

OBITUARY

Bollywood Director & Writer Pradeep Sarkar Passed AwayOn 24th March 2023, Pradeep Sarkar, a Bollywood director and writer well-known for making films like “Parineeta”(2005) and “Mardaani”(2014), passed away in Mumbai, Maharashtra at the age of 67. He was born on 30th April 1955 in Kolkata, West Bengal.
About Pradeep Sarkar:
i. Pradeep Sarkar began his career in mainstream advertising as a Creative Director, Art, in which he has 17 years of experience.

• His production house shot highly successful commercials, such as Tata Yellow Pages, ICICI Prudential, and Onida KY Thunder, to name a few.

ii. He began his movie career with Vinod Chopra Productions, the production company of director and producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra.
iii. After directing over 1000 commercials, feature film songs, and music videos, he made the critically acclaimed film “Parineeta”, released in 2005, which earned him the prestigious National Film Award. “Parineeta” was his 1st debut movie as a director.
iv. Some of his popular films include “Helicopter Eela”, “Laaga Chunari Mein Daag”, and “Lafangey Parindey”.
Since 2019, he has also directed web series like ‘Cold Lassi Aur Chicken Masala’, ‘Arranged Marriage’, ‘Forbidden Love’, and ‘Duranga’.
Awards:
Pradeep Sarkar received the Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director, a national film award, at the 53rd National Film Awards 2006 for his film “Parineeta”.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Tuberculosis Day 2023 – March 24World Tuberculosis Day is annually observed across the globe on 24th March to create awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and the efforts to end the global TB epidemic.
World TB Day 2023 is observed on 24th March 2023 under the theme “Yes! We Can End TB!”.
Background:
i.In 1982, on the one-hundredth anniversary of Dr Koch’s presentation, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) proposed that 24 March be proclaimed an official World TB Day.
The first-ever World TB Day was observed in 1983.
Observance in India: “One World TB Summit”
On the occasion of World TB Day 2023(24th March 2023), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW) and Stop TB Partnership has organised “One World TB Summit” at Rudrakash Convention Centre, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh(UP).

• Prime Minister(PM) of India, Narendra Modi addressed the Summit and distributed the awards to selected States/Union Territories (UTs) and districts for their progress towards ending TB.

About World Health Organization(WHO):
Director-General– Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
Established in 1948
>> Read Full News

International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims 2023 – March 24United Nations (UN)’s International Day for the Right to the Truth Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims is annually observed across the globe on March 24  to commemorate the human rights activist Saint Óscar Arnulfo Romero, who was murdered on 24th March 1980 after denouncing violations of the human rights of the most vulnerable individuals in El Salvador.
Background:
i. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/65/196 on 21st December 2010 and proclaimed March 24 of every year as International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims.
ii. The 1st ever International Day for the Right to the Truth concerning Gross Human Rights Violations and for the Dignity of Victims was observed on 24th March 2011.
About the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR):
High Commissioner- Volker Türk
Headquarters- Geneva, Switzerland.
Establishment- 1993
>> Read Full News

Shaheed Diwas or Martyrs’ Day 2023 – March 23Shaheed Diwas, also known as Martyrs’ Day, is annually observed in India on March 23 to pay tribute to Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, and Sukhdev Thapar who were hanged to death in 1931 in the Central Jail at Lahore (now in Pakistan).
The day also aims to remember the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for India.

• 23rd March 2023 marks the 92nd death anniversary of the trio.

History:

i. Lala Lajpat Rai was assassinated during the lathi charge. To avenge Lala Lajpat Rai’s killing, Sukhdev Thapar, Shivaram Rajguru, and Bhagat Singh were convicted of murdering deputy police superintendent John Saunders.

• They also threw a bomb inside the Central Legislative Assembly hall in New Delhi, Delhi, on 8th April 1929, to protest against British rule in India.

ii. On March 23, 1931, Sukhdev Thapar, Shivaram Rajguru, and Bhagat Singh attained martyrdom. They were hanged to death by the British government in the Lahore Conspiracy case.

• Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev were hanged at the age of 23, whereas Rajguru was only 22.

Other Martyrs’ Day Observed in India:
i. November 19 of every year is observed in remembrance of the Queen of the Maratha-ruled princely state of Jhansi, Rani Lakshmibai’s birth anniversary(19 November 1828), as an honour to those who lost their lives in the rebellion of 1857, in which she was a leading figure.
ii. November 24 of every year is observed to mark the death anniversary of the 9th Sikh Guru, Tegh Bahadur, who was executed on 24th November 1674 by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
iii. In the Barak Valley, May 19 is marked as Bhasha Shahid Divas (Language Martyrs’ Day), honouring the deaths of 11 persons killed during the Bengali Language Movement in 1961.

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